A peripheral device for a computer is powered by an internal rechargeable battery. A data line electrically connects the peripheral device to the computer. The data line has conductors that provide for data transmission between the computer and the peripheral device. The data line also has conductors that provide for power transmission from the computer to the peripheral device. The peripheral device uses the power transmission conductors to recharge the battery, thereby eliminating the need for a separate power line to be associated with the peripheral device.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A computer system comprising: a computer comprising a computer electrical connector, said computer electrical connector being adapted to output electric power and transfer data between said computer and a scanner; a scanner comprising a rechargeable power supply, a light source, and a scanner first electrical connector, said scanner first electrical connector operatively connected to said rechargeable power supply and said light source; and a cable electrically connecting said computer electrical connector and said scanner first electrical connector.
2. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein said power supply is a battery.
3. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein said computer electrical connector is electrically connected to a universal serial bus.
4. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein said computer further comprises a universal serial bus controller, said universal serial bus controller being electrically connected to said computer electrical connector.
5. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein said scanner further comprises a scanner second electrical connector, said scanner second electrical connector being electrically connected to said rechargeable power supply and adapted to be electrically connected to an external power supply.
6. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein said computer further comprises a data controller configured to the international electrical and electronic engineers standard 1394, said computer electrical connector being electrically connected to said data controller.
7. A method of operating a scanner, said scanner comprising a light source, said method comprising: charging a rechargeable power supply using electric current from a computer operatively connectable to said scanner; and operating said scanner, including said light source, with power supplied by said rechargeable power supply.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said using electric current from said computer comprises using electric current supplied by way of a universal serial bus.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein said charging comprises charging a rechargeable battery located within said scanner.
10. The method of claim 7 and further comprising charging said rechargeable power supply from a power source external to said scanner.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein said operating said scanner, including said light source, comprises operating said scanner, including said light source, using power supplied solely from said rechargeable power supply.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein said operating said scanner, including said light source, comprises operating said scanner, including said light source, using power supplied both from said rechargeable power supply and from said computer.
13. A scanner comprising: a single electrical connector having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being adapted to conduct electric current, said second portion being adapted to conduct data signals; a rechargeable battery operatively connected to said electrical connector first portion; and a light source operatively connected to said rechargeable battery.
14. The scanner of claim 13 wherein said single connector is a universal serial bus connector.
15. The scanner of claim 13 , wherein said rechargeable battery is electrically connected to said connector first portion.
16. A scanner comprising: electric current supply means for supplying electric current to a light source within said scanner, said electric current supplying means being rechargeable; and connecting means for connecting said electric current supplying means to a cable supplying electric current and data signals.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
October 17, 2000
October 15, 2002
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